The 110m hurdle gold medal at the Athens Olympics makes Liu Xiang a legend of Chinese sport. After Liu broke the world record in 2007, he became synonymous with sport in this country.

Liu Xiang of China warms up before the start of his 110m hurdles heat of the athletics competition in the National Stadium at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games August 18, 2008. Liu failed to start his 110 metres hurdles first-round heat on Monday. [Agencies]

If you'd asked a Chinese what the highlight of the Beijing Olympics was going to be at the start of the Games, most of them would have answered, "Liu Xiang".

But on August 18, 2008, in the 110m hurdles heat, Liu Xiang dropped out of the competition due to injury.

A hot debate on whether Liu should have withdrawn is going on. Here's a round-up of what's being said on blogs:

Han Qiaosheng CCTV commentator

(http://hanqiaosheng2008.blog.sohu.com/97584404.html)

"We love Liu Xiang, more than that gold medal"

Liu Xiang was shouldering too much responsibility and pressure. When he limped into the Bird's Nest and was obviously in pain after test running over two hurdles, people still hoped he could overcome the pain and stay in the competition.

When he walked out of the stadium without turning around, 90,000 spectators sighed and even cried although they knew the reason he didn't turn back was because he was too disappointed with himself.

Liu Xiang has the right to give up. Even if his heart is made of iron, his body is still flesh.

If he carried on with injuries, the Beijing Olympics would be his final performance. He's smart he left.

We love Liu Xiang more than that gold medal.

Liu Jianhong, CCTV commentator

(http://liujianhong.blog.sohu.com/97527233.html)

"I understand him"

Liu's withdrawal is not a disaster, for the Olympics or for Liu. Sport is for fun and for us to enjoy. When you are injured, you have to drop out. This has nothing to do with the national honor or with personal ethics. It is simply about a person's health, his life and his future.  

Yin Bo: vice-president of Jinan Daily Group

(http://aoyunpl2.blog.sohu.com/97545516.html)

"We only have one Liu Xiang"

China has won 39 gold medals till now but there is only one Liu Xiang. Even if we top the gold medal tally finally, we still cannot claim we are the best in the world since we are still very weak in athletics. Liu Xiang brought us hope of a breakthrough in this area..

Therefore, we should cherish him rather than watching him try and carry on with injuries.

Ye Maozhong, Advertising planning consultant from CCTV

(http://yemaozhong.blog.sohu.com/97574571.html)

"Kicking Liu Xiang out of the Olympics right now would be the greatest damage to the brand"

Liu Xiang's commercial value has truly been damaged. But the sponsors should not give him up right now. That would break the brand since the consumers would think the company does not have human kindness.

After Liu Xiang left, his heart and the consumers' hearts all needed to be consoled. Therefore, making a TV advertisement comforting Liu Xiang and his fans would be a wise choice.